Airbag assembly including deployable panel

Abstract

An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel supported by the dash. The deployable panel is moveable relative to the dash from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The deployable panel has a proximal end at the dash in the deployed position and a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag abuts the deployable panel when the deployable panel is in the deployed position and the airbag is in the inflated position. A tether extends from the airbag to the deployable panel in the undeployed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly comprising:
 a dash including an upper surface; 
 a deployable panel supported by the dash and moveable relative to the dash from an undeployed position to a deployed position, the deployable panel having a proximal end at the dash in the deployed position and a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position; 
 the distal end rotating about the proximal end from the undeployed position to the deployed position; 
 an airbag supported by the dash and inflatable to an inflated position, the airbag abutting the deployable panel when the deployable panel is in the deployed position and the airbag is in the inflated position; 
 a tether extending from the airbag to the deployable panel in the deployed position; and 
 a deployable leg extending from the deployable panel and abutting the dash in the deployed position, the deployable panel is between the airbag and the deployable leg; 
 the deployable leg and the deployable panel together forming a triangular shape. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tether is flexible relative to the deployable panel. 
     
     
       3. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tether is fabric. 
     
     
       4. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tether is positioned to transmit upward force from the airbag to the deployable panel to raise the deployable panel toward the deployed position as the airbag inflates to the inflated position. 
     
     
       5. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tether is connected to the distal end of the deployable panel. 
     
     
       6. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the deployable panel in the deployed position is rigid relative to the airbag in the inflated position. 
     
     
       7. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a windshield, the deployable panel being between the airbag and the windshield. 
     
     
       8. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the distal end and the proximal end of the deployable panel are adjacent the dash in the undeployed position. 
     
     
       9. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end is engaged with the dash in the undeployed position and the deployed position. 
     
     
       10. The assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the deployable panel is one leg of the triangular shape and the deployable leg forms two legs of the triangular shape. 
     
     
       11. The assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the deployable leg in the deployed position includes a lower segment extending from the proximal end of the deployable panel along the upper surface of the dash and an upper segment extending from the distal end of the deployable panel downwardly to the lower segment. 
     
     
       12. The assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the lower segment abuts the upper surface of the dash from the proximal end of the deployable panel to the upper segment of the deployable leg. 
     
     
       13. The assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the lower segment includes a fold when the deployable panel is in the undeployed position. 
     
     
       14. The assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the fold includes a living hinge.